Breaking: FDA to Permit ‘Morning-After’ Pill for 17 Year-olds

Filed in National by on April 22, 2009

The FDA today said that it will not appeal a judge’s order to permit 17-year-olds to get the ‘morning-after’ pill.

From the Associated Press story:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration says it will allow 17-year-olds to get the ‘morning-after’ birth control pill without a doctor’s prescription. The FDA said Wednesday it will not appeal a federal judge’s order overturning restrictions that were imposed during the Bush administration.

U.S. District Judge Edward Korman ruled that Bush administration appointees let politics, not science, drive their decision to allow over-the-counter access only for women 18 and older.

Korman ordered the FDA to let 17-year-olds get the medication. He also is ordering the agency to evaluate whether all age restrictions should be lifted.

In a statement, the FDA indicates that it is ready to approve the change once the manufacturer requests it.

And so, the Bush Administration’s attempts to accelerate the scourge of teenage pregnancy have come to an end. Schmucks.

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  1. Unstable Isotope says:

    Well, I’m glad that 17-year-olds can get the Morning After kit, but I hope they lift the age restrictions soon. Also, I hope this medication is not placed “behind the counter” so that you have to ask the pharmacist for it.

  2. Shannyn says:

    I think women should be able to order a “Skinny Ooops Double Shot Latte”….until we legislate people to love their children, we shouldn’t make them have them. You have to have a license to kill a fish…but not to breed.

  3. Tom S. says:

    Why 17 year olds?

  4. Unstable Isotope says:

    Good question, Tom. We would have to look at what the legal case was. As far as I knew, the drugs were approved without any age restriction. I assume the drug manufacturer sued for 17-year-olds?

  5. The Bush Administration and the FDA limited the ‘morning-after’ pill to those 18 and over. While the court case extended it to 17-year-olds, it is likely that the age limit will be scrapped altogether.

  6. they got a pill for tattoo’s out there?

  7. i don’t see it being a big deal if it is at 17. They allow 17 y/o to be tried as adults all the time in court

  8. jason330 says:

    I love the way Shannyn Moore lays it down.